So many talk about the travel industry because of its ability to improve lives. Travel broadens horizons, exposing individuals to diverse cultures, traditions, and perspectives, fostering a greater understanding and appreciation for what else is out here, and giving families and friends the time and experiences they need but it can also change the lives of others.

Last month, as part of TMR’s Travel Market Place conference in Toronto, editor-in-chief and vice president Daniel McCarthy was joined onstage by Max and Viktoriia Shkurupii and Cathy Scott of British Colombia’s Departures Travel, to talk about a story of how the industry can change lives.

Hear their story, about an escape from war-torn Ukraine and new lives in Canada, on this episode of Check-In.

There’s been a lot of talk about the launch of NDC by United and American Airlines this month, two moves that mark a turning point for travel agencies that ticket inside GDSs. NDC stands for New Distribution Capability, which is a travel industry-supported program that allows airlines to provide richer and more personalized content to travel agents and consumers. While the moves are both seen as steps towards the future of ticketing, they both come with a lot of baggage, and concern, from travel agencies.

In this episode, TMR vice president and editor-in-chief Daniel McCarthy speaks with Paige Blunt, the Senior Manager of Direct Connect and ONE Order at the Airlines Reporting Corp on the impact of NDC on travel advisors and the future of retail ticketing inside GDSs. The talk includes ARC’s role in the move to the NDC, and advice on how agencies should approach it.

From the valleys of COVID, to now what feels like an endless ascent, travel advisors have come a long way. Business is strong across the board, with advisors reporting more clients booking more travel at a higher price than ever before. No one has a crystal ball. But how long can it really last?

In this episode, Joshua Bush of Ave Two Travel joins TMR to talk about what he’s seeing the industry right now when it comes to that demand, what luxury clients want right now, and what destinations are trending. In the conversation, Bush also talks about his roots in travel—his parents built Ave Two, formerly Park Ave Travel, because of their love of travel and eventually convinced him to leave his career in consumer finance to join them, a decision form which he has never looked back.